Cleaning Guides
The Best Way to Clean Windows Without Streaking
Streaky windows are one of the most common cleaning frustrations — and usually the result of a small technique problem, not a lack of effort. Here's a method that actually works, plus the real reasons streaks keep coming back.
Gather your tools
Before you start, having the right tools on hand makes the biggest difference to the result:
The method
Before anything touches the glass, dry-wipe or brush away loose dirt, cobwebs and debris from the frame and sill. Skipping this step means that debris gets dragged across the wet glass during cleaning, undoing some of the work before you've finished.
Mix a few drops of dish soap into warm water — it cuts through grease and grime without leaving the residue behind that harsher chemical cleaners often do.
Scrub with the solution
Using a sponge or soft-bristled brush, work over the glass, paying extra attention to areas with built-up dirt or grime. On heavily soiled exterior glass, letting the solution sit for 30–60 seconds before scrubbing gives it time to actually break down stuck-on grime rather than just pushing it around.
Squeegee it off — top to bottom, in sections
Start at the top corner and work down in a smooth, continuous stroke, overlapping each pass by about an inch and wiping the blade clean after each one. Working in sections and keeping an eye on runoff matters more than it sounds — water naturally drips downward, so cleaning top to bottom stops you dragging dirty water back across glass you've already finished.
Dry any remaining moisture
A clean, lint-free cloth catches any leftover streaks or droplets. Wipe top to bottom to avoid introducing new marks, and switch to a clean section of cloth regularly rather than spreading the same residue around.
A few things make this go more smoothly: clean on a cloudy day rather than in direct sun, since sunlight dries the solution too fast and leaves streaks behind; use a squeegee with a blade in good condition, since a worn one drags rather than cleans; and don't overdo the solution — more isn't better, and excess liquid just means more to streak.
Which cleaning solution to use
Dish soap and warm water handles most everyday grime. For a more natural option, a vinegar solution — equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle — cuts through dirt effectively and works well finished off with a squeegee or lint-free cloth.
A note on ammonia-based cleaners: some guides recommend mixing your own ammonia solution at home. We'd steer away from this — ammonia fumes are genuinely harmful in an unventilated space, and mixing it with the wrong product (bleach, in particular) creates a dangerous reaction. If you want a stronger option than vinegar, a commercial, ammonia-free glass cleaner formulated for windows is the safer choice — just patch-test on a small area first and follow the label instructions.
Why you're still getting streaks
If streaks keep coming back despite a careful clean, it's usually one of a handful of causes:
- Hard water stains — mineral deposits from hard water leave a cloudy film that a normal wipe won't shift; a vinegar and water solution usually clears it
- The wrong cleaning solution — some products leave a residue behind that causes streaking on their own
- The wrong tool — paper towels and standard cloths shed fibres that cling to glass; a squeegee or genuinely lint-free cloth avoids this
- Cleaning in direct sunlight — the solution dries before you can wipe it away properly, leaving streak marks behind
- Not rinsing thoroughly — leftover solution dries on the glass if it isn't fully removed
One sign worth knowing: if a milky or hazy appearance persists no matter how carefully you clean, that's usually no longer a cleaning problem. Left long enough, mineral deposits can actually begin etching into the glass surface itself — at that point, no amount of scrubbing will fully clear it, and it needs specialist polishing rather than a stronger cleaning product.
Interior vs exterior: different approaches
The two sides of the same window don't actually need the same treatment. Interior glass is protected from weather and pollution, so a light misting is usually enough — you have more time to work carefully and perfect your technique without the solution drying too fast. Exterior glass takes the full force of rain, dust and general pollution, so it typically needs a more generous application and can benefit from that 30–60 second dwell time before scrubbing.
One tool distinction worth knowing: avoid using a squeegee indoors. It creates more runoff than a cloth-based approach, and that excess water can damage interior window trim and sills over time. Save the squeegee for the exterior, where any drips land outside rather than on your woodwork.
A safety note on exterior windows at height: if a window requires a ladder to reach safely, it's worth thinking carefully before doing it yourself. Professional window cleaners carry the right equipment and insurance for working at height — not every job is worth the risk of doing it alone.
Streak-free windows, every time
Window cleanliness is one of the first things checked at a move-out inspection. Our end of tenancy cleans include streak-free glass throughout as standard. Fixed prices from £115, with a 72-hour re-clean guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to clean windows without streaking?
A vinegar and water solution — equal parts of each in a spray bottle — combined with a squeegee or microfibre cloth, wiped top to bottom, handles most windows without leaving streaks.
Can I use newspaper to clean windows?
Yes — after spraying on a vinegar and water solution, crumpled newspaper's absorbent texture can lift residue effectively, though a lint-free cloth is generally easier to work with.
Should I clean windows on a cloudy day?
Yes, where possible. Direct sunlight dries the cleaning solution too fast, which is one of the most common causes of streaking.
What type of cloth should I use?
A microfibre or genuinely lint-free cloth. Standard cloths and paper towels shed fibres that stick to the glass and cause streaking.
Should I clean the frames and sills too?
Yes, for a properly finished result — a soft brush or cloth with mild detergent or the same vinegar solution handles frames and sills alongside the glass.
How often should windows be cleaned?
Every few months is a reasonable general guideline, though this depends on location and exposure — properties near busy roads or with a lot of rain exposure may need it more often.
Should I use a squeegee on interior windows?
It's better to avoid it. Squeegees create more runoff than a cloth-based approach, and that excess water can damage interior window trim and sills over time. Save the squeegee for exterior glass.
Why won't a hazy or milky mark come off my window?
If it persists despite careful cleaning, mineral deposits may have begun etching into the glass surface itself rather than just sitting on top of it. At that point it needs specialist polishing, not a stronger cleaning product.